Philipp Melanchthon: Renewer of the Church

Today we celebrate Philipp Melanchthon and his achievements. Most of us know Melanchthon because he penned the Augsburg Confession, but very few are aware of his place as one of the first systematic theologians of the Lutheran church. Melanchthon also worked with Luther at Wittenberg University as a professor of theology, the Scripture, Aristotle, and the classics. Melenchthon was and is sometimes vilified as being to Catholic or too Calvin, but his other works, Loci Communes and Summary of Ethics are both examples of how Lutherans view doctrine (Loci Communes) and how we are to view ethics, even Aristotle's (Summary of Ethics).

On this day as we remember Philipp Melanchthon and the Augsburg Confession, let us pray for the unity of the church, the preaching and teaching of pure doctrine, and a deeper knowledge of Christ and his benefits.

The Presentation of the Augsburg Confession

Today is the 478th Anniversary of the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, which is the standard doctrine for the Lutheran Faith. In it, Philipp Melanchthon along with several other members of the German empire, detail what it means to be a member of the Lutheran church, in hopes that it can be reconciled with the Roman Catholic church. In the Confession, almost every aspect of what Lutherans believe is found, from the concept of the Trinity to the monastic lifestyle. Melanchthon explains why we practice things differently than the Catholic church, and uses Scripture to back up the Lutheran way of doing things. There is also discussion about original sin and why there is still so much sin in the world. Melanchthon stresses the importance of being saved by grace through faith, as it is an important part of what we believe as Lutherans. He also states that even though we cannot do good works to gain the Holy Spirit and salvation, but that without the Holy Spirit it is impossible to do good works. Melanchthon also discusses how and when mass should be distributed as well as how we are to view the saints. To see for yourself what the Augsburg Confession is about, click here.